So much in Asia depends on the calendar. In February in Beijing, more than 20 million people all set off fireworks to celebrate Chinese New Year. In Nagaland in India, tribes from all over the region meet to compete, dance, and celebrate. In Thailand, spectators look on as celebrants perform bizarre rituals at the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.
With an intimate and unique knowledge of Asian culture, Remote Lands knows the importance of experiencing culture the right way. Whether you want an up-close view of the Sing-Sing festival in the Asaro Valley of Papua New Guinea or a quiet walk through the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, Remote Lands can give travelers the best possible experience on their celebrations throughout Asia.
Globally-acclaimed, the two-day Ubud Village Jazz Festival features 100 renowned international and Indonesian Jazz musicians performing on three stages spotting Ubud's green hillside. This is the first eco-friendly, community-based jazz event in the country. The plastic-free event involves local art and music groups.
Mewanna, The Goddess of Mt Popa is the mother of two powerful Nats (spirits) who were brothers. She is said to have stopped at the Yadana Gu on her way home from Taunbyon to her shrine at Popa and today, people commemorate her journey by traveling to the site in boats and celebrating her status as the protector of women.
“Come on over tonight” or “Yosakoi” in the local dialect, is a fun-filled festival taking place every summer in the vibrant city of Kochi. Created to dispel gloom after a severe recession in 1954, nearly 15,000 dancers, including the mayor and the governor, flood the streets as the festival sweeps over the city.
Culminating in the feast day of St. Joseph of Alaverdi of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who founded the 6th-century Alaverdi Cathedral, Alaverdoba is a folk celebration in Kakheti. Traditionally a festival that lasted for three weeks based on pagan beliefs in Georgia prior to Christianity, the festival now can last for a number of days and includes traditional singing, dancing, and feasting.
Held in Georgia’s beachside Batumi on the Black Sea. This local festival involves numerous cultural and sporting events, culminating in a gala concert with singing and dancing. An important day in celebrating city heritage, the streets are often decorated in the run up to the celebration.
This two-day festival sees Borneo’s Bajau community come together and welcome visitors from around the region to enjoy and experience their traditional folk music, known as Betitik. There is an exhibition about the history and culture of the ethnic group, as well as a market selling local food and handmade crafts.
Throughout the second part of September, a rich and diverse celebration of artistic endeavour is celebrated across Borneo, from Sabah to Sarawak and Labuan. Visitors from all over the world enjoy the musical performances and competitions, exhibitions of fashion, arts and photography, as well as traditional food and storytelling.
Professional and amateur kitemakers and their families from all over the world gather for an exciting and colorful day in Bintulu to see and fly spectacular kites. There are plenty of activities to take part in, including workshops with kitemakers, and kite-coloring competitions. There is also a range of great food and drink available.
Chuseok, South Korea’s thanksgiving day, is a major harvest festival celebrated over three days. Traditionally, families visit ancestral graves to pull weeds, offer newly harvested rice and traditional rice cake, and make a formal bow of gratitude. Folk games, dances, and music are also played. In modern times, many Koreans return to their hometowns to spend time with family and friends, and share a feast of Korean traditional foods and rice wines.
This 15-day-long Fall festival is Nepal’s longest and most auspicious, worshipping the goddess mother in all of her manifestations. Taking place throughout Nepal, there’s a strong emphasis on family and community gatherings during the event, and on honorable principles of truth, justice and virtue.
